The Quiet Legacy of Good Men
NAPERVILLE - WHEATON - GLEN ELLYN - ELMHURST - GENEVA - ST. CHARLES - BARRINGTON - BARTLETT PHOTOGRAPHER
Hi friends!
This week brought a couple of senior sessions, a family session, and more weather watching than I'd care to admit. We ended up rescheduling our senior model shoot because the forecast was calling for severe storms. In fact, the family gathered here to ride out what was expected to be a rough evening. Thankfully, the storms never materialized in our area, though my heart goes out to those who weren't as fortunate. I hope everyone affected by this week's weather is safe and recovering.
Of course, Mother Nature wasn't our only source of excitement this week. Auggie Doggie apparently decided it was her civic duty to protect the property from a skunk. Let's just say the skunk lost, and the rest of us lost right along with it. The house, the yard, and quite possibly the entire neighborhood still smell to high heaven.
If you're wondering about the sweet dog I'm kissing in this week's header photo, that's the culprit. And let's just say that image was taken before the skunk incident—I wouldn't kiss her with a ten-foot pole right now.
In between weather alerts and skunk incidents, I managed to add several more roses to the garden, including a few beautiful climbers that will hopefully bring even more English garden charm to the studio grounds in the years to come. With severe weather predicted, I also went outside and cut armfuls of poppies and roses that I was certain wouldn't survive the storm. As it turns out, the flowers would have been just fine, but I'm not complaining. Their blooms have filled the house with beauty all week, and I've enjoyed photographing them almost as much as I've enjoyed admiring them from room to room.
Today, we're celebrating Father's Day and the remarkable men who have shaped our lives. We are incredibly blessed with kind, loving, hands-on fathers, grandfathers, husbands, sons, and sons-in-law, and as I reflected on that this week, I found myself thinking about the things that are passed down from one generation to the next.
This week's essay is a tribute to those men and the legacy they continue to build every day.
Now grab a cup of coffee and settle in.
Soft Focus: What We Hand Down
I have noticed something about the men in our family.
They reach for the babies in the family.
Not eventually.
Not after someone asks.
Not after they've had a moment to warm up.
They reach for them immediately.
A baby enters the room and before long, there is a pair of strong hands gently holding them against a chest.
A grandfather swaying back and forth without realizing he's doing it.
A father kissing the top of a sweet-smelling baby head.
An uncle stretching out his arms, hoping for one more hug from his nephew.
It is one of the quiet traditions of our family.
For most of my life, I never gave it much thought.
It was simply what I knew.
The men in our family loved openly.
They held babies. They gave hugs. They showed up.
They weren't afraid of tenderness.
I think I took it for granted because it was all around me.
And lately, I've found myself paying closer attention to it.
I noticed it again a few months ago when my newest grandson, Easton, was born.
I will never forget watching my son-in-law, Evan, step into the room to meet his new nephew. Within minutes, his arms were outstretched and he was holding him, completely captivated. Looking down at Easton with a smile that seemed to come from somewhere deep inside him.
No hesitation.
No uncertainty.
Just love.
The kind of love that reaches for a baby the moment it walks through the door.
I see it in my son, Kyle, too.
One of my favorite things to witness is the relationship between Kyle and Ellis. While Ellis is technically his nephew, you would never know it by the way he loves him. He gets down on the floor to play. He chases him through the yard. He scoops him up when he's tired. He buys him every toy on earth. He loves him unconditionally.
The same way a father would.
The same way a good uncle does.
And every time I see it, I am reminded that love has always been abundant in this family.
I see it in my husband, Dan.
For more than three decades, I have watched him love our children with a gentleness that never wavered.
He was never a father who stood on the sidelines of parenting.
He was in it.
The bedtime stories.
The long talks.
The teaching moments.
The laughter around the dinner table.
The tears that nobody else saw.
Every sports event, school event, father daughter dance and more.
He was there.
The everyday moments that quietly become the foundation of a childhood.
Our children grew up knowing they were loved.
Not because he told them once.
Because he showed them every single day.
And perhaps that is why watching them now feels so familiar.
Because what I am seeing didn't begin with them.
It didn't even begin with Dan.
It stretches back further than that.
To my father-in-law.
To my father.
To my grandfathers.
To my great-grandfathers.
Generation after generation of men who taught the next generation what it means to be a husband, a father, a grandfather, a friend, and a man.
Not through speeches.
Through example.
These days, I don't have to look far to find an example of the kind of man I've been writing about.
He lives under our roof.
My father.
What a gift it is that he is still here.
That he gets to witness these ordinary, beautiful moments that make up a life.
Birthday parties and snack time.
First steps and backyard adventures.
Tiny hands reaching for his.
I watch him with his great-grandsons and see the same expression I remember from my own childhood.
That look of pride.
Of wonder.
Of unconditional love.
The years may have changed many things, but they haven't changed that.
And I realize what a gift it is to have watched these men for so long.
Because the older I get, the more I understand that we hand down much more than eye color, smiles, or family traits.
We hand down character.
We hand down values.
We hand down examples.
We hand down the way we love.
People often talk about breaking generational cycles.
And sometimes that is necessary.
But sometimes there are cycles worth preserving.
Sometimes there are things so beautiful that you hope they continue long after you're gone.
The men in our family have never been afraid of tenderness.
They have never mistaken kindness for weakness.
They have never been afraid to show affection, offer comfort, shed tears, or open their hearts.
They taught their children that strength and gentleness can live side by side.
That a man can be protective without being hard.
Strong without being intimidating.
Respected without being feared.
And because of that, I now get to watch my children raise the next generation with those same values.
Someday, these little boys will grow into men.
They will become husbands and fathers and grandfathers.
They will hold babies of their own.
And if I know anything about this family, they won't need anyone to teach them what to do.
They will reach for them.
The same way their fathers did.
And their grandfathers.
And their great-grandfathers before them.
Because love, when it is lived out loud, has a way of finding its way forward.
It travels quietly through generations.
Hand to hand.
Heart to heart.
Until one day you look around a room full of people you love and realize that the greatest inheritance was never something you could hold.
It was something you were shown.
WHAT I’M LOVING THIS WEEK
Inspiring Follow: @Dr.emily.nutrition
I've been really enjoying @dr.emily.nutrition lately.
She has a wonderful way of taking complicated nutrition and women's health topics and making them easy to understand, practical, and applicable to real life. No gimmicks. No fear tactics. No "one weird trick" nonsense.
Just science-backed information delivered with humor, common sense, and a whole lot of personality.
She's smart, funny, adorable, and one of those follows that leaves you feeling informed rather than overwhelmed. In a world full of nutrition misinformation, that's something worth celebrating.
If you're looking to make healthier choices without getting lost in the weeds, I think you'll enjoy her as much as I do.
What I’m Loving: DAE Signature Shampoo
This week I'm sharing a product that has quietly earned a permanent place in my shower: Dae Signature Shampoo and Conditioner.
Over the years, I've tried countless shampoos and conditioners, always hoping to find one that left my hair healthy without irritating my scalp. Many products left me dealing with an itchy, flaky, or sometimes even burning scalp, which was incredibly frustrating.
A few years ago, I discovered Dae, and I've been using it ever since.
Not only does it leave my hair soft, healthy, and shiny, but it is one of the few products I've found that feels genuinely soothing on my scalp. No irritation. No itching. Just clean, healthy hair.
And then there's the scent. Notes of citrus, orange blossom, and vanilla make every shower feel a little more luxurious.
I don't often stay loyal to a beauty product for years, but this is one that I continue to repurchase again and again.
Local-ish: Marcel’s Cooking Classes
If you've been looking for a fun date night, a girls' night out, or simply an excuse to try something new, I have a local recommendation for you.
Marcel's Culinary Experience in Glen Ellyn offers hands-on cooking classes that look right up my alley. From French cooking and handmade pasta to baking classes, seasonal menus, and cocktail-themed evenings, there's truly something for everyone.
What I love most is that these aren't the kind of classes where you stand around and watch someone else cook. You actually get into the kitchen, learn new techniques, prepare the meal yourself, and then enjoy the fruits of your labor.
As someone who loves good food, learning new skills, and creating experiences with the people I love, Marcel's feels like the perfect way to spend an evening. It's been on my own "must visit" list, and I have a feeling some of you might enjoy it too.
If you've attended a class there, I'd love to hear about your experience!
490 N Main St. Glen Ellyn
A Fresh Taste of Spring
Both Dan and I thought this was the perfect light meal for a warm spring or summer evening. The combination of fresh herbs from the garden and bright lemon gave the salad a freshness that felt completely different from any pasta salad we've had before.
One of my favorite things about this recipe is that it's dressed with creamy ricotta instead of mayonnaise, which makes it feel lighter and less rich than traditional pasta salads while still being wonderfully satisfying.
I made a few small adjustments along the way. Since Dan isn't a fan of chickpeas, I substituted cannellini beans, which worked beautifully. I also blanched the asparagus before adding it to the salad, giving it a lovely crisp-tender texture and a fresh pop of color.
Next time, I'll definitely toast the pine nuts first. Toasting brings out their natural oils and gives them a deeper, nuttier flavor that I think would make this salad even better.
And if dill isn't your favorite herb, I think fresh basil would be a delicious substitute. Its sweet, aromatic flavor would pair beautifully with the lemon, ricotta, and spring vegetables.
This is one of those recipes that feels both comforting and refreshing at the same time—simple enough for a weeknight dinner, yet pretty enough to serve at a luncheon, shower, or summer gathering.
*The original recipe comes from Sara Fristoe’s @saras_eats_and _sweets .
Spring Pasta Salad with Ricotta, Peas & Lemon Honey Dijon Dressing
Ingredients
For the Pasta Salad
1 pound orecchiette pasta, cooked according to package directions and cooled
1½ cups peas (fresh or frozen and thawed)
3 radishes, thinly sliced
1 small bunch asparagus, trimmed and chopped into bite-sized pieces
1 (15-ounce) can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup whole milk ricotta
¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
3 scallions, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons fresh chives
¼ cup pine nuts
Zest of 1 lemon
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
For the Lemon Honey Dijon Dressing
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon
3 tablespoons honey (more or less to taste)
2 heaping tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the orecchiette according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse briefly with cool water to stop the cooking process.
If using fresh asparagus, blanch it in boiling water for 1–2 minutes until bright green and crisp-tender. Transfer immediately to an ice bath and drain.
In a large serving bowl, combine the cooked pasta, peas, radishes, asparagus, garbanzo beans, parsley, dill, scallions, pine nuts, and lemon zest.
In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, and salt until smooth and emulsified.
Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss gently to combine.
Add dollops of ricotta throughout the salad and gently fold in, leaving some creamy pockets of ricotta for texture.
Season with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 hours before serving. Garnish with extra herbs, lemon zest, or pine nuts if desired.
Notes
This salad can be made ahead of time.
For extra protein, add grilled chicken or salmon.
Toasting the pine nuts before adding them enhances their flavor and adds a lovely crunch.
Cannellini beans can be substituted for the chickpeas.
Basil can be substituted for the dill for those who aren’t a fan of dill.
Studio Happenings
Our River Minis are back, and they may be one of my favorite summer sessions yet.
Designed for little boys and girls ages 1–10, these sessions are inspired by the simple magic of childhood adventures. Picture rolled-up overalls, bare feet, a fishing pole in hand, and an antique tub transformed into a make-believe boat. Add a newspaper hat and toy telescope, and suddenly an ordinary afternoon becomes an expedition downriver in search of adventure.
There's something timeless about watching a child's imagination take over, and these sessions are all about capturing that wonder.
River Minis
Investment: $395
Includes:
30-minute portrait session
5 fully edited digital images
Outfit Tips: Classic overalls, suspenders, simple cotton shorts, or a vintage-inspired tee. Bare feet are always welcome. We'll provide the newspaper hat and all the props needed to complete the adventure.
Let your little explorer set sail into a world of imagination—and take home memories that feel like summer.
with love and light,
Alicia Staley Johnson
of Alicia’s Photography
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